JP2009234462A - Pedestrian protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pedestrian protection device capable of accurately protecting a pedestrian according to a collision mode of the pedestrian moving to the front upper side or the front lower side of a vehicle as a simple configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The pedestrian protection device S1 is mounted to the front portion FP of the vehicle V, and includes a controller 60, a forward movement holding mechanism 12 controlled in actuation by the controller, and a contact body 10 that the pedestrian can contact. The controller 60, when having predicted a collision of the pedestrian with the vehicle based on a signal from a collision predicting sensor 61, actuates the forward movement holding mechanism 12 to cause a forward movement of the contact body 10, and based on a signal from a turn sensor 63 when the forward movement holding mechanism carries out an upward rotation or a downward rotation of the forward movement holding mechanism 12 at the time of contact of the forwardly moved contact body 10 with the pedestrian, controls actuation of the restraint body 30 so as to correspond to the pedestrian MD moving to the front upper side of the vehicle and the pedestrian MD moving to the front lower side of the vehicle, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is mounted on the front part of the vehicle and is activated when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian vehicle, and corresponds to a pedestrian moving to the upper front part of the vehicle and a pedestrian moving to the lower front part of the vehicle, respectively. Thus, the present invention relates to a pedestrian protection device having a configuration in which a restraining body that can be protected is disposed so as to be in a receiving state.

Conventionally, as a pedestrian protection device, there is a device that uses an airbag that inflates by inflating gas into the restraint that receives the pedestrian, or that plastically deforms to absorb the kinetic energy of the pedestrian. . In a pedestrian protection device using an air bag, an inflated air bag is disposed on the upper surface on the front side of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or on the front side of the vehicle from the road surface to the vicinity of the adult chest. Some have a large airbag that can be received (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, in a pedestrian protection device using a plastically deformable restraint, a front edge portion of a hood is raised on the upper surface on the front side of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 3) or upward from a bumper on the front side of the vehicle. There is one that raises the restraining body so as to extend in the direction (for example, see Patent Document 4).
JP 2000-219094 A JP 2003-341451 A JP 2006-36120 A JP 2007-276503 A

  However, for example, if the pedestrian is a small child, there is a risk of intrusion between the vehicle and the road surface at the time of a collision. There is a problem with this point because it does not have a part to block the wall. On the other hand, in the pedestrian protection device of Patent Document 2, the airbag has an area that closes the space between the road surface, but the upper side is stretched high so that it can be protected to the vicinity of the chest of an adult. It becomes large and takes time to complete the inflation, and the inflator for supplying the inflation gas to the airbag is increased in size, which causes a problem in terms of weight reduction.

  In order to deal with these problems, a sensor that detects the physique of the pedestrian is used. If the pedestrian is large, the front part of the vehicle is taken into consideration when the vehicle collides with the vehicle. A restraint body such as an air bag is arranged on the upper surface side of the vehicle, and if the pedestrian is a small child, it is easy to intrude into the road surface on the lower surface side of the vehicle when it collides with the vehicle. It is conceivable to place a restraint body such as an airbag on the lower surface side of the front portion of the vehicle.

  However, in such a configuration, even if the pedestrian's physique is large, even if the pedestrian enters the lower front of the vehicle, or conversely, the pedestrian's physique is small, It is difficult to cope with the collision mode when the pedestrian moves to the upper front side of the vehicle.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and as a simple configuration, the walking can accurately protect the pedestrian corresponding to the collision mode of the pedestrian moving to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle. It aims at providing a person protection device.

The pedestrian protection device according to the present invention is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle, and is activated when the vehicle collides with the pedestrian vehicle, and moves to the lower front portion of the vehicle and the pedestrian moving to the upper front portion of the vehicle. It is a pedestrian protection device configured to arrange a restraint body that can be protected in correspondence with each pedestrian so as to be in a receiving state,
A contact body that protrudes forward from an initial position stored in the front of the vehicle and contacts a pedestrian during operation;
A forward holding mechanism for holding the contact body from the rear side so that the contact body can protrude forward when operating;
When the contact body that has moved forward is in contact with the pedestrian, the forward holding mechanism rotates forward or downward according to the amount of pressing force on the upper or lower side of the contact body. A rotation holding mechanism for holding the rear side of the holding mechanism;
A collision prediction sensor disposed on the vehicle for predicting a collision with a pedestrian vehicle;
A rotation sensor for detecting the vertical rotation of the forward holding mechanism;
A control device for controlling the operation of the forward holding mechanism and the restraining body based on signals from the collision prediction sensor and the rotation sensor;
Configured with
The control unit
When predicting a collision with a pedestrian's vehicle based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor, the forward holding mechanism is operated to move the contact body forward,
A pedestrian that moves to the upper front part of the vehicle and a lower front part of the vehicle based on the signal of the rotation sensor when the forward holding mechanism rotates upward or downward when the contact body that has moved forward contacts the pedestrian The operation of the restraint is controlled so as to correspond to each of the pedestrians that move to each other.

  In the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, when the control device predicts a collision with the pedestrian of the vehicle based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor, the forward holding mechanism is operated to place the contact body at the initial position. To the forward position where it can come into contact with the pedestrian. Then, the pedestrian hits the contact body, and the advance holding mechanism rotates upward or downward according to the magnitude of the pressing force toward the upper side or the lower side of the contact body.

  Then, if the forward holding mechanism rotates upward or downward, the control device operates the restraint based on the signal from the rotation sensor and moves to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle. The restraint body receives the pedestrian so that the person can be protected.

  That is, in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, the pedestrian moves to the upper front of the vehicle or the pedestrian moves under the front of the vehicle by the upward or downward rotation of the mechanically operated advance holding mechanism. It is possible to determine whether the pedestrian moves to the side, and according to the collision mode of the pedestrian with the actual vehicle, the restraining body can be arranged so as to be accurately received by the pedestrian.

  Therefore, in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, as a simple configuration, it is possible to accurately protect the pedestrian corresponding to the collision mode of the pedestrian moving to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle.

  Further, in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, the pedestrian moving to the upper front part of the vehicle or the pedestrian moving to the lower front part of the vehicle is selected and the restraint is actuated so as to be protected. Therefore, the restraint body can be configured to be small, and the pedestrian protection device can be configured as lightweight and compact as possible.

And in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, the forward holding mechanism is
A connection support member connected to the rear surface of the contact body and extending rearward;
A drive source that holds the coupling support and is actuated by an actuation signal from the control device to move the coupling support together with the contact body;
Provided and configured,
The rotation holding mechanism
On the rear side of the advance holding mechanism, a holding shaft that is arranged along the left and right axial directions and is rotatable around the axis; and
A connection holding material for connecting the drive source of the advance holding mechanism to the holding shaft;
Provided and configured,
At least a part of the forward holding mechanism and the rotation holding mechanism is deformed so as to absorb the kinetic energy of the pedestrian when rotating up and down the forward holding mechanism when the contact body that has moved forward contacts the pedestrian. It is desirable to dispose the deformation portion.

  In such a configuration, the deforming portion disposed in at least a part of the advance holding mechanism and the rotation holding mechanism is when the advance holding mechanism is rotated upward or downward while the pedestrian is received by the contact body. It is possible to reduce the kinetic energy of the pedestrian by plastic deformation or elastic deformation, soften the interference with the subsequent restraint of the pedestrian, and suppress the reaction force of the restraint exerted on the pedestrian be able to.

  In the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, the control device operates the forward holding mechanism to move the contact body forward, and then returns the contact body to the initial position when avoiding a collision with the pedestrian's vehicle. If it is configured to operate the forward holding mechanism, it can be reused at the time of predicting a collision with the next pedestrian without exchanging parts or the like. In order to avoid a collision with a pedestrian's vehicle, the control device receives a collision prediction signal from the collision prediction sensor, and detects a vertical rotation of the forward holding mechanism even after a predetermined time has elapsed. If no signal is input, it is determined that collision is to be avoided. Alternatively, a collision detection sensor that detects a collision with a pedestrian of an actual vehicle is mounted on the vehicle, and the control device receives a collision prediction signal from the collision prediction sensor. If there is no signal from the sensor, it may be determined that collision is avoided.

  Furthermore, in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, as a restraining body that receives a pedestrian that moves to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle, an inflating gas is allowed to flow during operation to enter a receiving state. An airbag that protrudes from and inflates can be exemplified. In this case, the airbag as a restraint can catch a pedestrian with good cushioning properties.

  Moreover, as a restraint body which catches the pedestrian who moves to the front upper part of a vehicle, you may comprise as a hood panel so that it may be moved upward at the time of the operation which will be in a receiving state. In this case, the hood panel can be arranged with a large deformation space that can be deformed downward above the engine room, and the pedestrian plastically deforms the hood panel to absorb the kinetic energy and It will be received by the panel.

And, in the pedestrian protection device according to the present invention, the restraint body is constituted by one airbag that inflates by inflating with an inflating gas during operation to be in a receiving state,
The advance holding mechanism is configured to hold the airbag and a case that has an opening through which the airbag can be protruded and that accommodates the airbag and is disposed on the rear surface side of the contact body,
In conjunction with the upward or downward rotation of the forward holding mechanism, an interlocking mechanism is provided that directs the opening from which the airbag projects in the case upward or downward,
One airbag may be arranged so as to inflate in response to a pedestrian moving to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle during operation according to the direction of the opening of the case by the interlocking mechanism. .

  In such a configuration, when the forward holding mechanism rotates upward or downward, the interlocking mechanism causes the airbag's protruding opening to face upward or downward, causing the airbag to protrude from the predetermined opening. Since the airbag can be inflated at the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle and used as a single airbag, a case for storing the airbag and a gas supply mechanism for supplying inflation gas to the airbag One is sufficient, and the pedestrian protection device can be configured more simply.

In this case, the case is provided with an opening capable of projecting the airbag and a cover covering each opening so as to be openable on the upper surface side and the lower surface side, respectively.
The interlocking mechanism is configured by providing a connecting material that is connected to each cover on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case so as to be open and movable,
In order to allow the cover to open and move when the advance holding mechanism rotates upward or downward, the ends of the connecting members that are separated from the connection portion with the cover are positioned above and below the rotation center of the advance holding mechanism. Each connecting member may be disposed by being held at the inverted position.

  If constituted in this way, when the forward holding mechanism holding the case rotates upward or downward, the length of the connecting material itself from the held end portion to the connecting portion to the cover is rotating and moving. If the cover is going to rotate together with the advance holding mechanism and the case so that the length from the end of the connecting part to the cover is required to be long, the connecting material pulls the cover conversely by that length. In other words, the cover is opened and moved to form an opening. In other words, with the above-described configuration, the mechanical operation of the interlocking mechanism configured to include the coupling material causes the cover to move by pulling the predetermined coupling material as the advance holding mechanism rotates. The opening for protruding the airbag in the case storing one airbag can be opened upward or downward, and the airbag can be released from the predetermined opening of the case by the inflow of the inflation gas thereafter. It can protrude and cover the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, in the configuration as described above, the pedestrian protection device configured to cover the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle with one airbag stored in the case, the opening for the airbag protruding in the case is opened. Therefore, a simpler mechanism can be provided without providing a separate drive source.

Similarly, as a case, a front end opening capable of projecting an airbag is provided on the front end side disposed on the rear side of the contact body, and the front end opening is held by the advance holding mechanism so as to be rotatable upward or downward,
The interlocking mechanism is configured by providing a support material that supports the rear side part from the rotation center with respect to the advance holding mechanism in the case,
Positioning of the support and the rear part of the case is controlled so that the case can be rotated relative to the forward holding mechanism during rotation so that a gap can be formed between the contact body and the front end opening. As described above, the case may be arranged such that the case can be moved back and forth, and the rear portion of the case cannot be moved up and down.

  Even in such a configuration, when the forward holding mechanism holding the case rotates upward or downward, the case keeps the forward movement of the case together with the forward holding mechanism with the position of the rear side portion of the case regulated by the support material. Since the center of rotation with respect to the mechanism is rotated, the case itself rotates relative to the forward holding mechanism during rotation so as to form a gap that allows the airbag to protrude between the contact body and the front end opening. Thus, the front end opening is further directed upward or downward. That is, in the case of the above configuration, the mechanical operation of the interlocking mechanism configured by providing the support material, with the relative rotation of the case due to the position restriction of the support material as the advance holding mechanism rotates, A front end opening of a case storing one airbag can be directed upward or downward, and opened with a gap between the contact body. Then, by the subsequent inflow of the inflation gas, the airbag protrudes from the front end opening of the case, and can cover the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, even in the above-described configuration, a single pedestrian stored in the case opens a pedestrian protection device configured to cover the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle with an airbag protruding opening in the case. Therefore, a simpler mechanism can be provided without providing a separate drive source.

Of course, if the above points are not taken into consideration, the restraint body is arranged in two types, an upper restraint body disposed on the upper front portion of the vehicle and a lower restraint body disposed on the lower front portion of the vehicle. And
The control device operates the upper restraint body or the lower restraint body on the basis of the signal from the rotation sensor, and the upper restraint body is moved to the vehicle without operating the lower restraint body when the forward holding mechanism rotates upward. The lower restraint body is moved below the front part of the vehicle without operating the upper restraint body during the downward rotation of the forward holding mechanism. You may act | operate so that it may be in the acceptance state of the pedestrian who moves the side.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A pedestrian protection apparatus S1 according to a first embodiment is a front grill (hereinafter simply referred to as a front grille) in a front FP of a vehicle V as shown in FIGS. It is mounted on the part 5). In the present specification, the front-rear direction corresponds to the direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle V, and the left-right direction corresponds to the left-right direction when the front side is viewed from the rear side of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedestrian protection device S <b> 1 of the first embodiment is used for inflating the contact body 10, the forward holding mechanism 12, the rotation holding mechanism 21, the airbag 30 as a restraint body, and the airbag 30. A gas supply mechanism 32 that supplies gas, a case 35 that houses the airbag 30, and a control device 60 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the contact body 10, as a curved plate housed on the front surface of the grill 5 of the vehicle V, projects forward from the housed initial position P <b> 0 to the forward position P <b> 1 and walks. It will contact (contact) a pedestrian so as to catch the person. Further, the contact body 10 is moved to the ascending position PU (see FIGS. 7B and 8) and the lowered position PD (see FIGS. 9B and 10) according to the contact state with the pedestrian. It moves with the upward rotation or the downward rotation of (see FIG. 1).

  The forward holding mechanism 12 is configured to hold the contact body 10 from the rear side so that the contact body 10 can protrude forward when operated, and includes a connection support member 13 and a drive source 15. Two connection support members 13 are arranged so as to be connected to the rear surface near the left and right edges of the contact body 10 and extend rearward. The drive source 15 holds each connection support member 13 and is operated by an operation signal from the control device 60 to move the connection support material 13 forward together with the contact body 10. In the case of the first embodiment, the driving source 15 is capable of reversible operation, and water, oil, air, or the like is used as a working fluid, and a piston cylinder type actuator 16 using their water pressure, hydraulic pressure, air pressure, or the like. As described above, the two-stage operating rods 18 and 19 are projected from the housing 17 during operation. In the case of the first embodiment, the operating rod 19 at the tip is also used as the connection support member 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the rotation holding mechanism 21 corresponds to the magnitude of the pressing force toward the upper 10 a side or the lower 10 b side of the contact body 10 when the contact body 10 moved forward is in contact with the pedestrian. Thus, the rear side of the advancement holding mechanism 12 is held so that the advancement holding mechanism 12 is rotated upward or downward, and the holding shaft 22, the connection holding member 25, and the stoppers 27 and 28 are provided. It is prepared for. The holding shaft 22 is disposed on the rear side of the forward holding mechanism 12 with the axial direction being set along the left-right direction, and is rotatable in the direction around the axis.

  In the case of the first embodiment, the holding shaft 22 passes through the housing 17 of each actuator 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12 and fixes the left and right end portions 22a to the support plate 23 (see FIG. 4). The support plate 23 is connected and fixed to a structural member such as a side member in the vehicle body 1. And in the case of 1st Embodiment, the holding shaft 22 comprises the deformation | transformation part 20 which carries out torsion plastic deformation at the time of the upward rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12, or a downward rotation. That is, the holding shaft 22 is formed of a metal material such as steel, and is deformed torsionally plastically deform when the advancement holding mechanism 12 is rotated up and down at the time of contact with the pedestrian of the contact body 10 that has moved forward. 20 absorbs the kinetic energy of the pedestrian.

  The connection holding member 25 is composed of a screw member that fixes a cylindrical sleeve 17 a provided in the housing 17 of each actuator 16 and through which the holding shaft 22 is inserted, to the holding shaft 22. The connecting and holding member 25 may be screwed into the sleeve 17a so that the tip is brought into contact with the holding shaft 22 at the time of tightening, or may be screwed into the holding shaft 22 itself through the sleeve 17a. In the case of a structure in which the connection holding member 25 is threaded into the holding shaft 22 itself through the sleeve 17a, the connection holding member 25 is used as a shear pin that can form a deformed portion, and The sleeve 17 a may be configured to rotate around the holding shaft 22 together with the housing 17 of the actuator 16 by breaking at the time of rotation or downward rotation.

  The stoppers 27 and 28 are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the holding shaft 22 so as to be in contact with the rear end side of the housing 17 and restrict the rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12 beyond a predetermined level.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the case 35 that houses the airbag 30 has openings 45 and 46 (see FIGS. 6, 8, and 10) through which the airbag 30 can protrude, and the rear side of the contact body 10. Is arranged. The case 35 of the first embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape including an upper wall 36 and a lower wall 37 that are vertically opposed to each other, left and right side walls 38 and 38, and a front wall 39 and a rear wall 40 that are opposed to each other in the front and rear direction. An upward opening 45 and a downward opening 46 for projecting the airbag 30 are disposed at the portions of the upper wall 36 and the lower wall 37. That is, in the case of the first embodiment, the upper wall 36 itself is the cover (upper cover) 48 that opens the opening 45, and the lower wall 37 itself is the cover (lower cover) 49 that opens the opening 46. The cover 48 and the lower cover 49 are connected to the interlocking mechanism 51 so as to open the openings 45 and 46, respectively. The upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 are locked by the locking claws 42 and 43 extending from the side wall 38 and the front wall 39 when the openings 45 and 46 are closed, and do not detach from the case 35 up and down. As the vehicle is pulled backward, it slides and opens the openings 45 and 46.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the interlocking mechanism 51 is interlocked with the upward rotation or the downward rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12, and the openings 45 and 46 of the airbag 30 protruding from the case 35 are directed upward or downward. Open. In the case of the first embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 51 includes two connecting members 52 and 53. Each of the connecting members 52 and 53 is formed of a string material such as a flexible wire, and can be opened and moved with respect to the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case 35. In addition, the connecting portions 52a and 53a at the front end are connected to the rear edges 48a and 49a. Then, the connecting members 52 and 53 are arranged so that the rear end portions 52b and 53b separated from the connecting portions 52a and 53a are positioned above and below the rotation center of the advance holding mechanism 12 (the center of the holding shaft 22) C0. The fixing members 55 and 56 arranged at the inverted positions are held and arranged. The fixing members 55 and 56 are connected and fixed to the body 1 side. The length L from the connection portions 52a, 53a to the end portions 52b, 53b of the connection members 52, 53 is determined when the case 35 moves forward with the operation of the actuator 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12. , So as to be in an expanded state (see B in FIG. 7). When the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward, the distance between the vicinity of the upper end 40a of the rear wall 40 where the rear edge 48a of the upper cover 48 is disposed and the fixing member 55 is longer than the length dimension L. Therefore, the connecting member 52 is pulled backward so as to open and move the upper cover 48 (see A in FIG. 6). When the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates downward, the distance between the vicinity of the lower end 40b of the rear wall 40 where the rear edge 49a of the lower cover 49 is disposed and the fixing member 56 is longer than the length dimension L. Therefore, the connecting member 53 is pulled backward so as to open and move the lower cover 49 (see B in FIG. 6). Although the entire range of the upper and lower openings 45 and 46 of the case 35 cannot be opened with the pulling amount of the connecting members 52 and 53, when the airbag 30 is inflated, the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 are caused by the inflating force. By pushing backward, the entire area of the openings 45 and 46 is opened (see FIGS. 8 and 10).

  The case 35 accommodates an airbag 30 and an inflator 33 as a gas supply mechanism 32 as shown in FIGS. The airbag 30 houses an inflator 33 inside. The inflator 33 is attached to the rear wall 40 of the case 35 with a predetermined mounting bolt (not shown) penetrating the airbag 30. At that time, the airbag 30 is also fastened to the rear wall 40 of the case 35. It is attached to.

  The control device 60 controls the operation of the actuator 16 and the inflator 33 of the forward holding mechanism 12 based on signals from the collision prediction sensor 61 (see FIG. 1) and the rotation sensor 63 (see FIG. 3). . The collision prediction sensor 61 is configured using ultrasonic waves, radar, or the like that can predict a collision with a pedestrian's vehicle V, and is disposed at a plurality of locations of the bumper 3. The rotation sensor 63 detects the vertical rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12. In the case of the first embodiment, the rotation sensor 63 is arranged at a portion of the stoppers 27 and 28 and is turned on when contacting the housing 17. It is formed from a switch or the like. Note that the rotation sensor 63 may be a contact type or an optical type that is arranged around the holding shaft 22 and can detect the rotation of the holding shaft 22 itself.

  When the control device 60 predicts a collision with the pedestrian's vehicle V based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 61, the control device 60 operates each actuator 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12 to advance the contact body 10. Based on the signal of the rotation sensor 63 when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward when the contact body 10 that has moved and then moved forward is in contact with the pedestrian, the airbag 30 as a restraint body is moved. The inflator 33 is operated so as to inflate. The control device 60 avoids a collision with the pedestrian's vehicle V if there is no rotation signal of the forward holding mechanism 12 from the rotation sensor 63 even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the operation of each actuator 16. The actuator 16 is operated so as to return the contact body 10 to the initial position P0.

  That is, the operation of the pedestrian protection device S1 of the first embodiment will be described. When the vehicle V is about to collide with a pedestrian, the control device 60 determines the vehicle V based on the signal from the collision prediction sensor 61. Since the collision with the pedestrian is predicted, the control device 60 first operates each actuator 16 of the forward holding mechanism 12 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. It moves forward from P0 to a forward position P1 where it can come into contact with a pedestrian. Then, as shown in A and B of FIG. 7 and A and B of FIG. 9, the pedestrian hits the contact body 10 and corresponds to the magnitude of the pressing force toward the upper part 10 a side or the lower part 10 b side of the contact body 10. The forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward.

  At this time, in the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the forward holding mechanism 12 is rotated upward by the interlocking mechanism 51 connected to the case 35, the upper side Since the distance between the vicinity of the upper end 40a of the rear wall 40 where the rear edge 48a of the cover 48 is disposed and the fixing member 55 is longer than the length L, the connecting member 52 opens and moves the upper cover 48. It will be towed backwards. When the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates downward, the distance between the vicinity of the lower end 40b of the rear wall 40 where the rear edge 49a of the lower cover 49 is disposed and the fixing member 56 is longer than the length dimension L. Therefore, the connecting member 53 is pulled backward so as to open and move the lower cover 49.

  When the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward, the control device 60 operates the inflator 33 so as to inflate the airbag 30 based on a signal from the rotation sensor 63. Therefore, when the airbag 30 is inflated, the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 are pushed rearward due to the inflating force, and the entire areas of the openings 45 and 46 are opened (see FIGS. 8 and 10). ). If the upper opening 45 of the case 35 is opened while the lower opening 46 of the case 35 is closed, the airbag 30 protrudes upward from the opening 45 as shown in FIG. The pedestrian MU that swells on the upper surface side of the front portion 7a of the panel 7 and moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V is received in a protectable manner. Further, if the lower opening 46 of the case 35 is opened while the upper opening 45 of the case 35 is closed, the airbag 30 protrudes downward from the opening 46 as shown in FIG. 3, the pedestrian MD that swells from the vicinity of the front surface 3 a to the road surface G and moves to the front lower side FD of the vehicle V is received in a protective manner.

  That is, in the pedestrian protection device S1 of the first embodiment, the pedestrian MU moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V or walks by the upward or downward rotation of the mechanically operated advance holding mechanism 12. It can be determined whether the person MD moves to the front lower FD of the vehicle V, and the airbag 30 as a restraint is accurately determined according to the collision mode of the pedestrian MU and MD with the actual vehicle V. The pedestrian MU, MD can be inflated and arranged. In other words, normally, when the pedestrian MA is large, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the vehicle V often rides on the front upper side FU at the time of a collision with the vehicle V. When the person MC is a small child, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in many cases, the person MC easily enters the road surface G of the front lower side FD of the vehicle V at the time of collision with the vehicle. However, in the case of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, even if the pedestrian MD has a large physique, and the pedestrian MA, MD enters the lower front FD of the vehicle V, Or, conversely, even if the physique of the pedestrian MC is small and the pedestrian MC, MU moves to the front upper FU of the vehicle V, The airbag 30 as a restraining body can be accurately inflated and placed in a receiving state for the pedestrians MU and MD.

  Therefore, in the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the first embodiment, as a simple configuration, the pedestrian MU corresponds to the collision mode of the pedestrians MU and MD moving to the front upper side FU or the front lower side FD of the vehicle V. MD can be protected accurately.

  Moreover, in the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the first embodiment, when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward, the holding shaft 22 as the deforming portion 20 undergoes torsional plastic deformation, so that the pedestrians MU, MD The kinetic energy of the pedestrian MU, MD can be reduced, the interference with the airbag 30 as a restraint body of the pedestrian MU, MD can be made soft, and the reaction force of the airbag 30 applied to the pedestrian MU, MD can be reduced. Can be suppressed.

  In the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the first embodiment, the advance holding mechanism 12 holds the connection support members 13 and 13 that are connected to the rear surface of the contact body 10 and extend rearward, and the connection support members 13. A drive source 15 that is actuated by an actuation signal from the control device 60 to move the connecting support member 13 forward together with the contact body 10 is provided. Further, the rotation holding mechanism 21 is arranged on the rear side of the advance holding mechanism 12 so that the axial direction thereof is aligned in the left-right direction, and the holding shaft 22 that can rotate in the direction around the axis, and the drive of the advance holding mechanism 12. A connection holding member 25 for connecting the source 15 to the holding shaft 22 and stoppers 27 and 28 for restricting the rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12 are provided. Therefore, the pedestrian MU is used by the contact body 10 as a deforming part that plastically deforms or elastically deforms the connection holding member 25 other than the holding shaft 22, the connection support member 13, the operating rod 19 of the driving source 15, or the stoppers 27 and 28. The kinetic energy of the pedestrians MU and MD may be reduced by plastically deforming or elastically deforming the deformed portion when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward while the MD is received.

  In the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the first embodiment, the drive source 15 of the advance holding mechanism 12 uses the actuator 16 that can be operated reversibly, and the control device 60 uses the actuator 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12. If the signal from the rotation sensor 63 is not input after a certain period of time has elapsed after the contact body 10 is actuated and moved forward, it is determined that a collision with the pedestrian's vehicle has been avoided. The actuator 16 of the forward holding mechanism 12 is operated so as to return 10 to the initial position P0. Therefore, if the control device 60 operates the actuator 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12 to move the contact body 10 forward and then avoids a collision with the pedestrian vehicle, the contact body 10 is brought to the initial position P0. It can be restored, and can be reused at the time of the next collision prediction with a pedestrian without exchanging parts. In the first embodiment, the collision avoidance with the pedestrian vehicle is determined based on the presence or absence of a signal from the rotation sensor 63. In addition, the actual collision with the pedestrian of the vehicle V is detected. When the collision detection sensor is mounted on the vehicle V and the control device 60 inputs a collision prediction signal from the collision prediction sensor 61 and there is no signal from the collision detection sensor even after a predetermined time has elapsed, collision avoidance is performed. You may judge.

  Furthermore, in pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of 1st Embodiment, the restraint body is comprised from the one airbag 30 which flows in the gas for inflation at the time of the action | operation which will be in a receiving state, and inflates. Further, the forward holding mechanism 12 includes the airbag 30 and a case 35 having openings 45 and 46 through which the airbag 30 can protrude and storing the airbag 30 and disposed on the rear surface side of the contact body 10. It has a configuration to hold. And in this pedestrian protection apparatus S1, the interlocking mechanism 51 which orient | assigns the opening 45,46 which the airbag 30 protrudes in the case 35 to the upper side or the lower side is interlocked with the upward rotation or the downward rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12. Arranged. Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward, the interlocking mechanism 51 causes the openings 45 and 46 from which the airbag 30 protrudes in the case 35 to face upward or downward, and is predetermined. Since the airbag 30 protrudes from the openings 45 and 46 of the vehicle V and can be inflated at the front upper side FU or the front lower side FD of the vehicle V, the airbag 30 to be used can be configured as one. The pedestrian protection device S1 can be configured more simply because only one case 35 for storing the vehicle and one inflator 33 of the gas supply mechanism 32 that supplies the inflation gas to the airbag 30 are sufficient.

  In particular, in the first embodiment, on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case 35, the openings 45 and 46 that can project the airbag 30, and the upper cover 48 and the lower cover that cover the openings 45 and 46 so that they can be opened. 49. The interlocking mechanism 51 is configured by providing connecting members 52 and 53 that are connected to the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case 35 so as to be movable open. . The connecting members 52 and 53 can be connected to the covers of the connecting members 52 and 53 so that the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 can be moved when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward. End portions 52b and 53b that are separated from the portions 52a and 53a are disposed in the vicinity of the rotation center C0 of the forward holding mechanism 12 at positions where they are reversed up and down. Therefore, when the forward holding mechanism 12 holding the case 35 rotates upward or downward, the length dimension L of the connecting members 52 and 53 itself from the held end portions 52b and 53b to the connecting portions 52a and 53a, The upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 try to rotate together with the advancement holding mechanism 12 and the case 35 so that the length from the end portions 52b and 53b at the connecting portions 52a and 53a to the cover that is rotating is required to be long. Then, on the contrary, the connecting members 52 and 53 pull the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49, that is, the openings 45 and 46 as shown in FIGS. Thus, the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 are opened and moved. That is, if it is a structure like 1st Embodiment, a predetermined | prescribed connection material will be accompanied by rotation of the advance holding mechanism 12 by the mechanical operation | movement of the interlocking mechanism 51 comprised including the connection materials 52 and 53. FIG. By opening and moving the upper cover 48 and the lower cover 49 by pulling 52 and 53, the opening 45 and 46 for projecting the airbag 30 in the case 35 that houses one airbag 30 is opened upward or downward. The airbag 30 can protrude from predetermined openings 45 and 46 of the case 35 and cover the front upper side FU or the front lower side FD of the vehicle V by the inflow of the inflation gas thereafter. . Therefore, in the first embodiment, the pedestrian protection device S1 configured to cover the front upper FU or the front lower FD of the vehicle V with one airbag 30 housed in the case 35 is replaced with the airbag 30 in the case 35. Without providing a separate drive source for opening the projecting openings 45 and 46, a simpler mechanism can be used.

  The above actions / effects can also be obtained by the pedestrian protection apparatus S2 of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. In the second embodiment, a front end opening 71 capable of projecting the airbag 30 is provided on the front end side disposed at a rear position of the contact body 10 so that the case 65 is covered with the contact body 10, and the front end opening 71 is provided. Are held by the advance holding mechanism 12 so as to be rotatable upward or downward. The case 65 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape having a front end opening 71, and extends from the connection support member 13A disposed on the left and right sides of the case 65 of the advancement holding mechanism 12 at the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the left and right side walls 66. The shaft 68 is connected, and the front end opening 71 is held by the advance holding mechanism 12 so as to be rotatable upward or downward. Further, support pins 69 projecting outward in the left-right direction are disposed on the rear edges of the left and right side walls 66 of the case 65.

  Note that the front end opening 71 of the case 65 can be easily broken into the inflating airbag 30 in order to protect the folded airbag 30 and an inflator (not shown) so that foreign matter or the like does not enter the case 65. The protective cover is closed.

  In the second embodiment, the connection support member 13 of the advance holding mechanism 12 includes the rotation shaft 68, and the actuator 16A of the drive source 15 is configured with only one operation rod 18A that is also used as the connection support member 13A. The contact body 10, the deformable portion 20, and the rotation of the other configuration except that the configuration of the case 65 and the interlocking mechanism 73 is different from that of the first embodiment. The holding mechanism 21, the airbag 30, the inflator 33, the control device 60, the collision prediction sensor 61, and the rotation sensor 63 are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The interlocking mechanism 73 of the second embodiment includes a guide rail 74 as a support material. The guide rail 74 is connected and held on the body 1 side, and the support pin 69 that is the rear side part of the rotation center C1 with respect to the forward holding mechanism 12 on the rear side of the case 65 on the left and right sides of the case 65 is vertically It is comprised from the upper rail part 74a and the lower rail part 74b which are supported so that it may pinch | interpose. The rotation shaft 68 is configured with a diameter that allows the clearance H1 between the upper rail portion 74a and the lower rail portion 74b of the guide rail 74 to be inserted. The upper rail portion 74a and the lower rail portion 74b are configured with the rotation shaft 68. In the vicinity of the connecting support member 13, it is arranged so as to enter the support pin 69 side from above and below so as not to hinder the back-and-forth movement.

  The guide rail 74 as a support material is a case 65 with respect to the forward holding mechanism 12 at the time of rotation so as to form a gap H0 that allows the airbag 30 to protrude between the contact body 10 and the front end opening 71. The case 65 and the rotating shaft 68 can be moved back and forth so that the position of the support pin 69 at the rear side portion of the case 65 can be relatively rotated, and the support pin 69 of the case 65 cannot be moved up and down. Are disposed.

  Also in the second embodiment, when the vehicle V is about to collide with a pedestrian, the control device 60 predicts a collision with the pedestrian of the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 61. First, the device 60 operates each actuator 16A of the advance holding mechanism 12 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 12 and A and B in FIGS. 14 and 16 to move the contact body 10 from the initial position P0 to the pedestrian. It moves forward to a forward position P1 where contact is possible. And as shown to A and B of FIG. 13 according to the magnitude | size of the pressing force to the upper part 10a side or the lower part 10b side of the contact body 10 as a pedestrian hits the contact body 10, the advance holding mechanism 12 is Rotates upward or downward.

  At this time, in the pedestrian protection apparatus S2 of the second embodiment, the case 65 is supported when the forward holding mechanism 12 holding the case 65 rotates upward or downward as shown in FIGS. Since the support pin 69 in the rear side portion of the case 65 is in a state of being regulated by the guide rail 74 as a material, the rotation center C1 of the case 65 with respect to the advance holding mechanism 12 is rotated together with the advance holding mechanism 12, so that the case 65 itself The case 65 is rotated relative to the forward holding mechanism 12 at the time of rotation so as to form a gap H1 between which the airbag 30 can protrude between the contact body 10 and the front end opening 71, thereby opening the front end opening 71. Further, it is directed upward or downward. That is, also in the pedestrian protection apparatus S1 of the second embodiment, the guide rail as a support member is provided as the advancement holding mechanism 12 is rotated by the mechanical operation of the interlocking mechanism 73 configured by providing the guide rail 74. Due to the relative rotation of the case 65 due to the position restriction 74, the front end opening 71 of the case 65 that houses one airbag 30 is directed upward or downward, and a gap H0 is provided between the contact body 10 and opened. be able to.

  When the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward or downward, the control device 60 operates the inflator 33 so as to inflate the airbag 30 based on a signal from the rotation sensor 63, so that the airbag 30 is Swell. At that time, if the gap H0 between the front end opening 71 and the contact body 10 in the direction to which the front end opening 71 is directed is on the upper side, the airbag 30 is moved upward from the upward front end opening 71 as shown in FIG. The pedestrian MU that protrudes and swells on the upper surface side of the front portion 7a of the hood panel 7 and moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V is received in a protective manner. Also, if the gap H0 between the contact body 10 in the direction in which the front end opening 71 is directed is on the lower side, the airbag 30 protrudes downward from the front end opening 71 facing downward as shown in FIG. The pedestrian MD that swells from the vicinity of the front surface 3a of the bumper 3 to the road surface G and moves to the front lower side FD of the vehicle V is received in a protective manner.

  Therefore, the pedestrian protection device S2 of the second embodiment can obtain the same operation and effect as the first embodiment, and the front portion of the vehicle V can be obtained by the single airbag 30 housed in the case 65. The pedestrian protection device S2 configured to cover the upper side FU or the front lower side FD has a simple mechanism without providing a separate drive source for opening the opening (front end opening) 71 of the airbag 30 in the case 65. Can be configured.

  Of course, even in the pedestrian protection device S2 of the second embodiment, the control device 60 operates the actuator 16A of the advance holding mechanism 12 to move the contact body 10 forward, and then rotates even if a certain time has elapsed. When the signal from the sensor 63 is not input, it is determined that the collision with the pedestrian's vehicle is avoided, and the actuator 16A of the forward holding mechanism 12 is operated so as to return the contact body 10 to the initial position P0.

  Moreover, as a pedestrian protection device, there are two types of restraints such as airbags, an upper restraint disposed on the front upper side of the vehicle and a lower restraint disposed on the lower front of the vehicle. It may be arranged. In the pedestrian protection device S3 of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the upper airbag 77 as an upper restraint body that inflates in the front upper side FU of the vehicle V and the front lower side FD of the vehicle V inflate during operation. A lower airbag 81 as a lower restraint is provided. In the case of the third embodiment, the upper airbag 77 is housed in a case 78 disposed in the front portion 7a of the hood panel 7 in the front upper side FU of the vehicle V, and by operation of the inflator 79 as a gas supply mechanism, As shown in FIG. 19A, the expansion gas is introduced to expand, and the cover 80 is pushed open to protrude upward, and the upper surface side of the front portion 7a of the hood panel 7 in the front upper side FU of the vehicle V Cover. Further, the lower airbag 81 is housed in a case 82 disposed in the lower part of the bumper 3 on the front lower FD of the vehicle V, and the operation of the inflator 83 as a gas supply mechanism causes the lower airbag 81 to be shown in FIG. Then, the expansion gas is caused to flow in and expand, and the cover 84 is pushed open to protrude downward, so that it expands from the vicinity of the front surface 3a of the bumper 3 to the road surface G.

  In addition, the contact body 10, the advance holding mechanism 12, the deforming unit 20, the rotation holding mechanism 21, the control device 60, the collision prediction sensor 61, and the rotation sensor 63 of the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Things are used.

  When the pedestrian protection device S3 of the third embodiment is in operation, when the vehicle V is about to collide with a pedestrian, the control device 60 walks the vehicle V based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor 61. Since the collision with the person is predicted, the control device 60 first operates the actuators 16 of the advance holding mechanism 12 to walk the contact body 10 from the initial position P0 as shown in FIGS. Advance to a forward position P1 where contact with the person is possible. And as shown to A and B of FIG. 19 according to the magnitude | size of the pressing force to the upper part 10a side or the lower part 10b side of the contact body 10 as a pedestrian hits the contact body 10, the advance holding mechanism 12 is Rotates upward or downward. Then, the control device 60 activates the inflators 79 and 83 that supply the inflation gas to the upper airbag 77 or the lower airbag 81 based on the signal from the rotation sensor 63. That is, in the pedestrian protection apparatus S3 of the third embodiment, the upper airbag 77 is inflated so as to protrude from the case 78 without inflating the lower airbag 81 when the forward holding mechanism 12 rotates upward. The airbag 77 receives the pedestrian MU moving to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V in a protectable manner. Further, when the forward holding mechanism 12 is rotated downward, the lower airbag 81 is inflated so as to protrude from the case 82 without inflating the upper airbag 77, and the lower airbag 81 is moved from the vicinity of the front surface 3 a of the bumper 3. The pedestrian MD that swells to the road surface G and moves to the front lower FD of the vehicle V is received in a protective manner.

  Also in this third embodiment, the pedestrian MU that moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V or the pedestrian MD that moves to the front lower side FD of the vehicle V can be selected and protected as a restraint. Since the airbags (upper / lower) 77 and 81 are operated, the restraint can be made small, and the pedestrian protection device S3 can be configured as lightly and compactly as possible.

  In addition, if the restraint body for catching the pedestrian moving to the front upper side or the front lower side of the vehicle can catch the pedestrian so as to be protected, an airbag that inflates by inflating by flowing in the inflating gas. It is not limited to. For example, like a pedestrian protection device S4 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a plastically deformable hood panel 7A is used as a restraining body that receives a pedestrian MU that moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V. May be. In the pedestrian protection apparatus S4 according to the fourth embodiment, a piston cylinder type actuator 86 for raising the rear end 7b of the hood panel 7A is disposed below both the left and right edges of the rear end 7b of the hood panel 7A. . This actuator 86 is operated after the pedestrian comes into contact with the contact body 10, unlike the actuator for moving back and forth of the contact body 10 that is returned at the time of collision avoidance. A micro gas generator that ignites and generates a working fluid may be used as a drive source. When the actuator 86 is actuated, the piston rod 86a is raised, the shear pin 8a of the hinge mechanism 8 on the rear end side of the hood panel 7A having a front opening structure is broken, and a part of the hinge mechanism 8 is deformed, so that the hood panel The rear end 7b of 7A will be raised.

  Moreover, the lower airbag 81 of 3rd Embodiment is arrange | positioned as a restraint body of the pedestrian who moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V of this 4th Embodiment.

  And in this pedestrian protection apparatus S4, the control apparatus 60 operates the actuator 86 by the signal of the rotation sensor (not shown) accompanying the upward rotation of the forward holding mechanism (not shown), and the rear end of the hood panel 7A. 7b will be raised. At this time, the hood panel 7A can be arranged by increasing the deformation space that can be deformed downward above the engine room ER, and the pedestrian plastically deforms the hood panel 7A to absorb the kinetic energy, It will be received by the food panel 7A.

  In the pedestrian protection device S4 according to the fourth embodiment, the control device 60 covers the front surface of the front pillar 88 by a signal from a rotation sensor (not shown) accompanying the upward rotation of a forward holding mechanism (not shown). The airbag 89 may be inflated so as to protrude from the accommodated case 90, and the airbag 89 may be used as a restraint for a pedestrian who moves to the front upper side FU of the vehicle V.

It is a perspective view of the vehicle carrying the pedestrian protection device of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic perspective view seen from the front side of the pedestrian protection device of a 1st embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the pedestrian protection device of the first embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the pedestrian protection device of the first embodiment. It is the schematic perspective view seen from the back side of the pedestrian protection device of a 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which each opens the upper surface side opening and lower surface side opening of the case of the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which rotates the contact body in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and an advance holding mechanism. It is a figure which shows the state in which an airbag receives the pedestrian who moves to the front upper side of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which rotates below the contact body and advance holding mechanism in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state which an airbag receives the pedestrian who moves to the front lower side of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the case where the protection form of the pedestrian in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 1st Embodiment differs. It is a schematic side view which shows the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state which faces the upper side of the front-end opening of the case in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment, and the state which faces a lower side. It is a figure explaining the state which rotates the contact body and advance holding mechanism in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which an airbag receives the pedestrian who moves to the front upper side of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state rotated downward of the contact body and advance holding mechanism in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which an airbag receives the pedestrian who moves to the front lower side of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the pedestrian protection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment, and shows the state which moved to the initial position and advance position of a contact body. It is a figure explaining the state which each receives the pedestrian who moves to the front part upper side and front part lower side of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the restraint body which catches the pedestrian who moves to the front upper part of the vehicle in the pedestrian protection device of a 4th embodiment. It is a perspective view of the vehicle carrying the pedestrian protection apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

7A ... (restraint) Food panel,
10 ... contact body,
10a ... upper part,
10b ... the lower part,
12 ... Advance holding mechanism,
13, 13A ... connection support material,
15 ... Drive source,
20 ... deformation part,
21 ... Rotation holding mechanism,
22 ... holding shaft,
24 ... connection holding material,
30 ... (restraint) airbag,
35, 65 ... case,
45, 46 ... opening,
48 ... (Top) Cover,
49 ... (bottom) cover,
51, 73 ... interlocking mechanism,
52, 53 ... connecting material,
60 ... Control device,
61 ... collision prediction sensor,
63 ... rotation sensor,
69 ... (rear part of the case) support pin,
71 ... front end opening,
74 ... (support material) guide rail,
P0 ... initial position (of contact body),
P1 ... advance position (of contact body),
V ... Vehicle,
FU ... (front of the vehicle),
FD ... under the front (of the vehicle),
MU ... (moves to the front upper side of the vehicle),
MD ... (moves down the front of the vehicle),
S1, S2, S3, S4 ... Pedestrian protection device.

Claims (9)

Mounted at the front of the vehicle and activated when it collides with a pedestrian's vehicle, it can protect against pedestrians moving to the upper front of the vehicle and pedestrians moving to the lower front of the vehicle, respectively A pedestrian protection device configured to dispose the restraint body to be received in a receiving state,
A contact body that protrudes forward from an initial position stored in the front of the vehicle and contacts a pedestrian during operation;
A forward holding mechanism for holding the contact body from the rear side so that the contact body can protrude forward when operating;
At the time of contact of the contact body that has moved forward with a pedestrian, the forward holding mechanism is rotated upward or downward in accordance with the amount of pressing force on the upper side or lower side of the contact body. A rotation holding mechanism for holding the rear side of the advance holding mechanism;
A collision prediction sensor disposed on the vehicle for predicting a collision with a pedestrian vehicle;
A rotation sensor for detecting the vertical rotation of the forward holding mechanism;
A control device for controlling the operation of the forward holding mechanism and the restraining body based on signals from the collision prediction sensor and the rotation sensor;
Configured with
The control device is
When predicting a collision with a pedestrian vehicle based on a signal from the collision prediction sensor, the advance holding mechanism is operated to move the contact body forward,
Based on the signal of the rotation sensor when the forward holding mechanism rotates upward or downward when the contact body that has moved forward is in contact with the pedestrian, the pedestrian moving to the upper front of the vehicle and the vehicle The pedestrian protection device characterized by controlling the operation of the restraint so as to correspond to each pedestrian moving to the front lower side. The advance holding mechanism is
A connection support member connected to the rear surface of the contact body and extending rearward;
A driving source that holds the connection support member and is operated by an operation signal from the control device to move the connection support material forward together with the contact body;
Configured with
The rotation holding mechanism is
On the rear side of the advance holding mechanism, a holding shaft that is disposed along the left and right axial directions and is rotatable about the axis, and
A connection holding member for connecting a drive source of the advance holding mechanism to the holding shaft;
Configured with
At least a part of the advance holding mechanism and the rotation holding mechanism absorbs the kinetic energy of the pedestrian when the advance holding mechanism rotates up and down when the contact body moves forward with the pedestrian. The pedestrian protection device according to claim 1, wherein a deformable portion that is deformable is disposed.   The forward holding mechanism is configured to return the contact body to an initial position when the control body operates the forward holding mechanism to move the contact body forward and then avoids a collision with a pedestrian vehicle. The pedestrian protection device according to claim 1, wherein the pedestrian protection device is operated.   The restraint body for receiving a pedestrian moving to the lower front portion of the vehicle is an airbag that inflates by inflating by flowing in an inflating gas when operating in a receiving state. The pedestrian protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The said restraint body which catches the pedestrian who moves to the front upper part of a vehicle serves as an air bag which inflates inflating gas and protrudes and inflates from an accommodation part at the time of the operation which becomes a acceptance state. The pedestrian protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   4. The restraint body for receiving a pedestrian that moves to the upper front side of the vehicle is moved upward as a hood panel during an operation to enter a receiving state. The pedestrian protection device described in 1. The restraint body is constituted by one airbag that inflates by inflating an inflating gas when operating in a receiving state,
The forward holding mechanism is configured to hold the airbag and a case that has an opening through which the airbag can be protruded and that stores the airbag and is disposed on the rear surface side of the contact body.
In conjunction with the upward or downward rotation of the forward holding mechanism, an interlocking mechanism is provided that directs the protruding opening of the airbag in the case upward or downward,
One of the airbags is arranged so as to inflate in response to a pedestrian who moves to the upper front side or the lower front portion of the vehicle during operation according to the direction of the opening of the case by the interlocking mechanism. The pedestrian protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pedestrian protection device is provided. The case has an upper surface side and a lower surface side, each having an opening through which the airbag can protrude and a cover that covers each opening so as to be opened.
The interlocking mechanism is configured to include a connecting material that is connected to each of the covers on the upper surface side and the lower surface side of the case so as to be open and movable,
In order to enable the opening movement of the cover corresponding to upward rotation or downward rotation of the forward holding mechanism, the end portions of the respective connecting members that are separated from the connecting portion with the cover are located near the rotation center of the forward holding mechanism. The pedestrian protection device according to claim 7, wherein the pedestrian protection device is arranged so as to be held at positions that are reversed up and down. The case includes a front end opening capable of projecting the airbag on a front end side disposed at a rear position of the contact body, and is held by the advance holding mechanism so that the front end opening can be rotated upward or downward,
The interlocking mechanism is configured to include a support material that supports a rear side portion of the case with respect to the forward holding mechanism with respect to the center of rotation.
The support member is configured to allow the case to rotate relative to the forward holding mechanism during rotation so as to form a gap that allows the airbag to protrude between the contact body and the front end opening. 8. The case is arranged so that the case can be moved back and forth so that the position of the rear side portion of the case is restricted, and the rear side portion of the case cannot be moved up and down. Pedestrian protection device.

Images